Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on strengthening strategic bilateral trade and investment with the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC), to expand access for national industrial products.The signing took place during the US-Indonesia Economic Dialogue organized by US-ABC, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC), and the US-Indonesia Society (USINDO) in collaboration with Kadin Indonesia in Washington DC on Thursday (February 19).Kadin Indonesia Chairman Anindya Novyan Bakrie, in a statement received here on Friday, said the cooperation aims to broaden opportunities for Indonesian businesses to enter the US market.“The signing between Kadin and the US-ASEAN Business Council is essentially about how we can expand the market for our traders, our investors from Indonesia, and our entrepreneurs to access the United States market,” Bakrie said.He cited the footwear sector as one of the industries with significant potential to increase exports.Currently, Indonesia’s footwear exports to the US stand at around US$120 million, still lagging behind Vietnam, which has reached approximately US$600 million.In addition to footwear, Bakrie said his side is focusing on supporting businesses that have penetrated export markets in garments, textiles, furniture, and electronics. Cooperation with US-ABC is also aimed at encouraging US investment into Indonesia.“Indonesia needs lots of investment, up to US$60 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI). This is one way for us to secure it,” he said.Furthermore, he assessed that a reciprocal trade agreement between Indonesia and the US could become an important milestone in strengthening bilateral economic ties.He also emphasized the importance of enhancing workforce capacity, including technological mastery, to drive higher value-added industries.“So that we can become a developed country that continues transforming its economy into industries with greater added value,” he said.